Tyrrellspass shocked in opener as Casey injury mars Loman's victory
The Shay Murtagh Precast Westmeath SFC kicked off last weekend – with Garrycastle edging out Athlone and Maryland getting the better of Castledaly in two of the fixtures down for decision.
See this week’s Westmeath Independent for reports and pictures on the Athlone v Garrycastle and Castledaly v Maryland games.
But there was plenty of action elsewhere and below are details from the following games - Tyrrellspass v Coralstown/Kinnegad, St Loman’s Mullingar v Killucan and Mullingar Shamrocks v The Downs.
Meanwhile, St Malachy's defeated Bunbrosna by 2-14 to 0-15 in their SFC Section A clash at Cusack Park last night (Tuesday).
Foley grabs winner as reds stun sky blues
Coralstown/Kinnegad 1-11 Tyrrellspass 1-10
A late point from Ronan Foley ensured that perennial dark horses Coralstown/Kinnegad got their Westmeath SFC Section B campaign off to the ideal start at Cusack Park on Saturday evening, clipping the wings of last year’s defeated finalists Tyrrellspass.
But while Foley’s winner was important, it would be unfair to say it was the difference between the sides, as the Reds impressed from start to finish against a lethargic and wasteful Sky Blue outfit and deserved their win thoroughly.
Bearing in mind that Coralstown/Kinnegad begin their campaign without two of their key forwards – Ger Leech (abroad) and Alan Giles (injured) – Thomas McDonnell’s charges were nonetheless firing on all cylinders.
Darren Giles expertly deputised for his brother Alan at corner-forward, contributing 1-4, including a goal which left his side 1-7 to 0-5 ahead at the break.
The introduction of the evergreen but still physically imposing Martin Flanagan briefly revived Tyrrellspass, and within the first two minutes of the second half, they were back on level terms.
But up front, it just didn’t come together for the Tidy Town – who destroyed Coralstown/Kinnegad in last year’s corresponding fixture – and ultimately, the Reds drew from a seemingly endless well of belief and spirit to eke out a deserved win.
Man of the match
Darren Giles (Coralstown/Kinnegad). The youngster was the difference between the sides, leading the Kinnegad attack with 1-4, and scoring a crucial late free to help them over the line.
Key moment
Aside from Ronan Foley’s deciding kick in stoppage time, Giles’ goal shortly before half-time was the psychological uppercut Coralstown/Kinnegad needed to keep Tyrrellspass on the back foot.
Scorers - Coralstown/Kinnegad: D Giles 1-4 (0-2f), C Kiernan (frees) and R Foley 0-2 each, E Leonard, D Leech and A Browne 0-1 each. Tyrrellspass: B Gavin 1-0, G Egan (frees) and David Glennon 0-2 each, D Jessop, Denis Glennon, M Flanagan, D McNicholas, C Slevin (free) and A O’Brien 0-1 each.
Coralstown/Kinnegad: Damien Kiernan; David McNevin, Killian Foley, Jason Lynch; Darren Leech, Ronan Doyle, Eamonn Fleming; Niall Kilmartin, Ryan Caffrey; Stephen Bracken, Ronan Foley, Clive Kiernan; Darren Giles, Wayne Fox, Enda Leonard. Subs: Fergal Dardis for Bracken (42), Adam Browne for C Kiernan (47), David Flynn for Caffrey (54).
Tyrrellspass: Joe Hyland; Ray Sheridan, Darren Quinn, Shane Arthur; David Jessop, Jamie Gonoud, Brian Slevin; Ger Egan, Dean McNicholas; Ben Gavin, David Gaye, Aaron O’Brien; Conor Slevin, David Glennon, Denis Glennon. Subs: Martin Flanagan for Gaye (h/t), Ciaran Daly for Arthur (54), Eoghan O’Neill for Quinn (59).
Referee: Niall Ward (Garrycastle).
Newcomer Morgan impresses for county champions
St Loman’s, Mullingar 0-19 Killucan 1-8
Without ever coming close to replicating the great displays which carried them to Flanagan Cup success last year, St Loman’s, Mullingar won their first game of this year’s championship with a little bit to spare over a game but limited Killucan outfit last Sunday evening in Cusack Park.
It was only in the closing stages that the Mullingar blued exerted their undoubted superiority on the scoreboard. Six late unanswered points left an eight-point gap between the sides, which did scant justice to a brave outfit in saffron and white. Indeed, the sides went in at half-time on level terms in this Section A clash - St Loman’s, Mullingar 0-8 Killucan 1-5.
With team manager Declan Rowley getting more animated on the sideline, the champions upped it a gear in the closing stages and were rewarded with six points without reply between the 54th and 63rd minutes.
The second half was marred for the winners by what looked like a nasty injury to Ken Casey, the Offaly star having to be stretchered off after unfortunately picking up an accidental knock in his Westmeath championship debut.
Man of the match
David Morgan (St Loman’s, Mullingar). An eye-catching debut at this level for Morgan who took the scoring honours from open play in a star-studded attack.
Key moment
While they are hard incidents to judge in a fleeting moment, Brian Smyth certainly looked like he may have been foot-blocked close to the St Loman’s goalmouth in the 49th minute when his side trailed by just three points.
Scorers - St Loman’s, Mullingar: J Heslin 0-6 (5f), D Morgan 0-4, P Sharry 0-3 (2f), S Dempsey and C Reilly 0-2 each, D Whelan and C Cochrane 0-1 each. Killucan: J Nugent 1-0, P Greville 0-3, B Smyth and C Jordan (1f, 1’45) 0-2 each, J Boyle 0-1.
St Loman’s, Mullingar: Stephen Gallagher; Steven Gilmore, Shane Flynn, Jason O’Toole; David Whelan, Paddy Dowdall, Gerry Grehan; Ciaran Kilmurray, Tommy Lambden; David Morgan, Ken Casey, Conradh Reilly; Paul Sharry, John Heslin, Shane Dempsey. Subs: Conor Cochrane for Lambden (h-t), Neil O’Toole for Gilmore (h-t), Garret Hickey for Casey (42, inj.)
Killucan: David Bryan; Mickey Boyle, Francis Boyle, Niall Flanagan; Tony Doyle, Robbie Greville, Gary Greville; Shane Leavy, Conor Jordan; Cormac Boyle, James Nugent, Stephen Morley; Brian Smyth, Paul Greville, Joey Boyle. Sub: Alan Aughey for Leavy (47).
Referee: Michael Gordon (Shandonagh).
Curley’s goal propels Shamrocks to a laboured win
Mullingar Shamrocks 1-15 The Downs 1-9
Meath legend Bernard Flynn got his championship managerial career with Mullingar Shamrocks off to a good start in Cusack Park last Sunday evening.
But it was a far-from-vintage showing by the men in green and white who struggled to put away a limited outfit from The Downs in this Westmeath SFC Section A first round.
Shamrocks led from start to finish but they struggled in the third quarter, and it needed Ciaran Curley’s well-taken goal in the 46th minute to swing the tie firmly in their favour. While the issue was not really in doubt from then on, Flynn is unlikely to be happy with some late showboating which could prove costly against better opposition.
Man of the match
Ciaran Curley (Mullingar Shamrocks). There was no real standout player on show, but Curley took his scores efficiently and his goal was crucial to the outcome.
Key moment
Curley’s goal effectively sealed the points for the Mullingar men.
Scorers - Mullingar Shamrocks: C Curley 1-2, L Smyth 0-4 (1f), S Quinn 0-3, S Daly and D Keena 0-2 each, P Fagan and D Corroon (f) 0-1 each.
The Downs: A Kilmartin 1-0, L Folan 0-3, K Smullen 0-2, K McGuire (f), B Conroy (f), J Hogan and PJ Maguire 0-1 each.
Mullingar Shamrocks: Philip Shaw; Eddie Moore, Kieran Gavin, Aaron Purcell; Conor Twomey, Eoin O’Neill, Davy Coyne; Donal O’Donoghue, Davy Gavin; Denis Corroon, Paddy Fagan, Simon Quinn; Sean Daly, Ciaran Curley, Lorcan Smyth. Subs: Calvin Kirwan for Moore (30 + 1), John Ganley for Fagan (41), Darren Keena for Corroon (41), Anthony Clinton for Twomey (50).
The Downs: Kevin McGuire; Niall Nolan, Mark Dalton, Peter Murray; Alan Finch, Jack Hogan, Steven Cleary; John Smyth, Mark Kelly; Declan Lynam, Barry Conroy, Kevin Smullen; Shane Carroll, Andrew Kilmartin, Niall Mitchell. Subs: PJ Maguire for Finch (26), Niall Gavin for Conroy (h-t), Luke Folan for Kelly (h-t), Shane Raleigh for Carroll (52), Shane Egerton for Smullen (56), Conor Duncan for Cleary (57).
Referee: Mick McAdden (St Loman’s, Mullingar).